Award Winning Show ‘Solitude’
Written, directed and performed by Martine Baanvinger
Music & Soundscape by Mark Manson
The extraordinary true story of Annie Chaffey’s struggles and triumphs whilst living for 40 years in New Zealand’s isolated mountains.
“When the Roaring Lion calls my Henry, I’m dreaming hours down to minutes…”
In 1913 Annie enters the remote mountains of Kahurangi National Park to live a hidden life with her lover Henry Chaffey. There are no regrets, the years pass but love never falters. Together with the hills they grow old. Forty years in raw exile, swallowed by the silence, enslaved by the fire.
This beautiful, touching true story is about Annie Chaffey’s love, loneliness, loss and laughter.
DramaLab is offering you a peek inside Asbestos Cottage where Annie lives a life of solitude. Where Queen Vicky and Aunt Daisy come to the rescue. Where jam and scones are served in Victorian dresses and the gun is always within reach. Bang! Woodhen for dinner.
Martine Baanvinger plays Annie Chaffey and created this performance in collaboration with Mark Manson who composed the music and soundscape. An old story from a new perspective.
“I highly recommend getting along to see it. Solitude is story telling at its finest. Write, director and performer, Martine Baanvinger, is utterly compelling, humorous and breathtakingly honest as Annie. Not only is this an interesting New Zealand story but it is told by an expert in an incredibly imaginative and touching way.” – Lisa Allen, Nelson Fringe Festival Review.
“Golden Bay actress Martine Baanvinger is brilliant in this demanding role. She wrote it herself and lives and breathes every nuance. Her changes of clothes, changes of mood, her ageing, her so much loving this man Henry Chaffey is convincing and believable.” – Gail Tresidder, Theatreview
Reviews & Interviews
Radio NZ Jesse Mulligan interview with Martine Baanvinger about ‘Solitude’.
